O use of letters G and J may raise doubts, since the syllables "ge" and "je" as well as "gi" and "ji" are homophones, that is, they have the same sound, as the letters G and J assume the same phoneme when before the vowels E and I. The spelling using the letters G and J takes into account the origin of the word in question, which raises many doubts about orthography. Here are some tips on when to use the letter G and when to use the letter J.
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When to use the letter G?
Nouns ending in -agem, -igem and -ugem
Nouns ending in | ||
-act |
-ige |
-howl |
garage |
soot |
rust |
tattoo |
origin |
down |
travel |
vertigo |
grumpy |
Remember if: don't confuse the substantive “travel” with the verb form “[they] travel”.
Exception:the word “page” is written with J.
Words ending in -goodwill, -egio, -igio, -ogio, -ogio
Words ending in | ||
-agio |
-egio |
-ige |
shipwreck |
school |
prestige |
Toll |
privilege |
prodigy |
omen |
sacrilege |
trace |
-overbearing |
-ugio |
|
clock |
refuge |
Verbs ending in -ger and -gir
Verbs ending in | |
-ger |
-turn |
to elect |
Act |
protect |
pretend |
creak |
run away |
When to use the letter J?
In addition to being used before vowels A, O and U for the syllables "ja", "jo" and "ju" (sound that does not occur with the letter G in "ga", "go" and "gu"), the letter J, in the syllables "je" and "ji", also follows some trends.
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Tupi or African words
source words | |
tupi |
African |
hominy |
jeguedê |
boa constrictor |
jeribat |
shaman |
Scarlet eggplant |
Words derived from other words spelled with J
It is the case when words that contain the syllables “ja”, “jo” or “ju” generate words with the syllable “je” or “ji”.
Words derived from others with J | |
crab |
crab |
Cherry |
Cherry tree |
Orange |
orange |
store |
shopkeeper |
retail |
retailer |
Other words with G
handcuffs |
jelly |
litigation |
apogee |
egg yolk |
monk |
peak |
genealogy |
nostalgia |
beige |
gum |
original |
spouse |
son in law |
psychological |
courage |
comic book |
region |
digital |
sunflower |
religion |
praise |
ideology |
technology |
foreign |
imagination |
Bowl |
frost |
indigenous |
current |
Other words with J
today |
flatter |
jeans |
majestic |
jackass |
disgusting |
donkey |
objective |
way |
design |
fast |
project |
Jericho |
reject |
jingle |
subjective |
jeep |
dirt |
jiricorn |
path |
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solved exercises
Question 1 - Check, in each item, if there are any words written outside the standard norm of the Portuguese language. If so, indicate which one.
A) fast, comic book, soot.
B) boa, design, peak.
C) litigation, flattering, prestige.
D) way, bowl, protect.
Resolution
A) “Soot” is written with a G.
B) “Jiboia” is written with J.
C) There are no words outside the standard norm.
D) “Protect” is written with a G.
Question 2 - Fill in the following blanks with "trip" or "journey" according to the context:
A) I hope you ______ come here soon, because I miss you.
B) We made a great ______! I'll show you the photos.
C) This ______ seems to have been quite expensive.
D) This place is wonderful! ______ over there, you won't regret it!
Resolution
A) “Viajem”, because it is a verbal conjugation (verb to travel conjugated in the 3rd person of the present subjunctive).
B) “Trip”, as it is a noun.
C) “Trip”, as it is a noun.
D) “Viajem”, because it is a verbal conjugation (verb to travel conjugated in the 3rd person of the imperative).
By Guilherme Viana
grammar teacher
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
VIANA, William. "Use of letters G and J"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/gramatica/emprego-das-letras-g-e-j.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
